Old batteries, chemical containers and broken light bulbs can be exchanged for gifts at the Recycling Festival in Ho Chi Minh City next Sunday, the organizers said.

An official from the city's Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which organizes the festival, said people handing over the garbage will get notebooks, pens, key chains and other home appliances. The official was quoted by local newswire Vnexpress.

Visitors to the Chemical Recycling Festival 2010 will also receive information on how to deal with containers and of experimental projects being implemented to recycle paper bags and bottles.

According to the HCMC Chemical Recycling Fund, the third edition of the festival aims to raise public awareness about the need to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that are released into the environment.